Book description
Writing about siblings from the London Review of Books 'My childhood can never let me down as a guide to human complication.'- Andrew O'Hagan 'Most of us who have siblings dream about being an only child,' Colm Tóibín writes in his introduction. 'Part of the joy of being a novelist is to erase all trace of siblinghood and present a character facing destiny without brothers and sisters ... Not having siblings gives them autonomy, and that, in turn, becomes a sort of power.' The Bensons and the Brontës, the Jameses and the Joyces, the sisters Austen and the brothers Mann, are joined here by pieces about Elizabeth and Margaret Windsor, the only children ('little emperors') of China and the Marx Brothers. 'The Big Problem', an essay by Adam Phillips that hasn't been published before, completes the collection.Featuring: John Bayley, Dinah Birch, Terry Castle, Stanley Cavell, Jenny Diski, Anne Enright, Penelope Fitzgerald, Deborah Friedell, Andrew O'Hagan, Adam Phillips, Tony Tanner, Colm Tóibín and Sheng Yun
Miss Twilight
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go – it's my daily companion. I can't get enough of this app's versatile features – from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there.
SkyGod
🚗📖 Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration – this app keeps me engaged on the road! 🚗🎧 Streamlining audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is truly impressive. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. One of the best audiobooks I’ve heard! The story was compelling, and the narrator’s delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
Sultan of Speed
📱 Carrying my library in my pocket – this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! 📚👜 💼 Making work hours enjoyable – audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. 💻📖 As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
Mr. Spy
This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. 💡 The future of audiobook listening is here – this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. 🎧🔮 Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place!
RoarSweetie
I've never been this excited about my daily commute – thank you, audiobooks! ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true – from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything.
Mint Ness
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. 📱 A world of books at my fingertips – this app's user-friendly design makes it a true reading companion. 📚📱
New York Sixlet
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Skool
I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. I'm so grateful for this app – it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices. This is exactly what I look for in an audiobook! The narrator's pleasant voice and excellent diction made even complex passages easy to follow. I appreciated the subtle but effective use of pauses and emphasis that added depth to the listening experience. Finished it in record time because I couldn't stop listening.
Frenzy
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. Thanks for making my daily commute to work enjoyable and engaging! With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal storyteller in my pocket. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver.
LoreLoomer
I can't remember the last time I was this excited about 'reading' books! This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience!
Slint FUBAR
I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy.
Ice
ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. The playback history is a great feature. I can easily revisit my favorite parts. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. It’s so easy to navigate.
Nutmeg
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Turnip King
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of literature during my daily walks – it's truly invigorating. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Electric Player
Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Marshmallow
Listening to audiobooks has made my daily commute more enjoyable and productive. With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Essex
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. Audiobook journey simplified – this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise.
Slacker Cat
ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
CirrusFlash
The Looping playback and Shuffle features on ListenBook help me customize my listening sessions to my liking. This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in!
QuestQuill
Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my listening experience on the go. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience